Data centers are a central component of digital infrastructure. At the same time, there is increasing public criticism of their energy and water consumption, as well as the lack of transparency towards the municipalities in which they are constructed. The question is not whether data centers will be built, but how municipalities and regions can ensure that their construction and operation are sustainable and beneficial to the region.

Together with the Schiphol Area Development Company (SADC), we have developed a sustainability roadmap that addresses precisely this. SADC is a public-private partnership of the municipalities of Haarlemmermeer and Amsterdam, the province of North Holland, and the Schiphol Group. The roadmap was designed for the PolanenPark, the first location of the Green Data Center Campus (GDCC) with a capacity of 80–100 MVA.

What makes this roadmap unique

The key difference compared to other settlement concepts lies in three mechanisms:

• Sustainability as a contractual element: Before the land is sold, the buyer and SADC agree on a binding sustainability plan. This plan includes specific measures divided into goals for the construction phase and goals that will be gradually achieved during ongoing operation.

• Annual public reporting obligation: The buyer is contractually obligated to publish progress and key figures annually. This transparency sets the foundation for independent reviews.

• Independent monitoring: A civil organization or governmental body reviews the published key figures, compares the targets with the actual status, and reports publicly on any discrepancies. Particularly large, international providers respond to the protection of their brand and reputation. Thus, public reporting is an effective tool for enforcing compliance with agreements.

This transparency also strengthens the trust of citizens, even before construction begins. At the same time, the published figures and plans provide a data basis for research and innovation, which can contribute to better technologies and frameworks for the industry.

Seven pillars of the circular economy

The roadmap is based on seven pillars of the circular economy, which serve as a framework for sustainability goals:

• Materials: Zero waste and complete recycling of all materials

• Energy and emissions: Achieving CO2-negative operations

• Water: No loss of rain and greywater

• Biodiversity: Increasing biodiversity through adaptive construction and operation

• Health and well-being: Improving the quality of life for employees and residents

• Economically resilient systems: Durable and adaptable structures

• Social activity and culture: Considering the needs of all stakeholders

For each pillar, the roadmap defines specific metrics and goals that are incorporated into the purchase contract.

Implementation process in four phases

The process begins in the concept phase, long before the land sale, and extends throughout the entire operation duration:

• Concept phase (8 weeks): The buyer and SADC jointly develop a first draft of the Value-Added Plan with specific metrics for construction and operation.

• Reservation phase (26 weeks): The metrics are formulated as SMART goals and integrated into the building design. SADC and the independent review body approve the plan before signing the purchase contract.

• Approval and realization (approx. 1 year): Some of the agreed goals must be achieved before commissioning. The remaining goals are set with a timeline for gradual achievement.

• Operation phase (10+ years): Annual monitoring and reporting on all agreed metrics until at least 2030. Annual review by the independent body with public documentation of progress and discrepancies.

Regulatory framework

The roadmap integrates requirements from various levels: the Dutch government's hyperscale policy, the sustainability measures of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, the data center policy of the province of North Holland, and the Roadmap to Sustainable Digital Infrastructure by 2030. By consolidating these requirements into a single contract, a consistent framework is created that is manageable for operators and comprehensible for the public.

Relevance for German municipalities and regions

The approach can be applied to German municipalities that want to establish data centers or are already in negotiations. The three core elements — contractual anchoring, public reporting obligation, and independent monitoring — are not bound to the Dutch context. They serve as a blueprint for any region that wants to not only approve digital infrastructure but actively shape it.

The roadmap offers economic developers and municipal administrations a concrete template for incorporating sustainability criteria into settlement negotiations and ensuring their long-term adherence.